My factory is running a FOM Industrie Axel 5 machine. I would like input on the most efficient way to get rid of two ribs of aluminum metal from an extrusion that’s about 219inches long. One piece sticks up about 6-8 inches and the length is about 2-2.5 feet, and the other is about 3-4 inches tall and a length is about 2-2.5 feet. I’m looking for a more efficient and faster way other than milling it with a 3/8th, 5 fluted mill, that takes 5 passes for the longer rib and 3 passes for the smaller rib. Possibly a smaller saw or t-mill, I’m just not sure what would be more faster.
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How thick is the rib and is it vertical or horizontal? If you have a large diameter slitting saw having many teeth. You could speed up your overall feedrate and possibly cut off rib in one pass.
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if the ribs are vertical, use a large slitting saw as StephenHadwin suggested, one pass and maybe a clean-up pass with and end mill. If the ribs are horizontal, program a trochoidal tool path with 3-flute 3/8" end mill, (or 1/2" or ?, depends on depth of cut, flex, etc) to slot/cut off in one pass at full depth.
Another option is to roughly cut off most rib mat’l with a hand held circular saw (aka Skill-saw) then mill a single finish pass.
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Plasma torch before its loaded on the machine. Then one pass with a face mill or rougher depending on required finish.
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